Now... What Can We Learn From a Horse?: The Race of the Century

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Authors: Rajiv Fernando,
Faculty Associate,
ICMR (IBS Center for Management Research).

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The Comeback Contd...

Faith / Trust (in the team)
After the Santa Anita loss in 1937, Howard and Smith were in for a rude shock when they realized that `Red' Pollard could not see clearly in one eye. This had cost them the race as the jockey had failed to notice the late charge by Rosemont and that ended up with Seabiscuit losing the crown by a whisker. Anybody else would have dumped the jockey, but Howard continued with Red and reposed his full faith in the jockey's abilities. Howard also did not give up on Seabiscuit and Red when both were injured and gave them the chance to repair themselves at his ranch. One of the memorable dialogues in the movie is "You don't throw a life away, just because you are banged up a little." Red did not let Howard down and came back to win the Santa Anita Race that had eluded them.

Seeing the Possibilities
Charles Howard realized the marketing potential of his horse early on. This former cavalry man and bicycle repairman realized that the future was the era of the automobile.

After getting a Buick car dealership, he amassed a great fortune. He knew the importance of marketing and cashing in on the big opportunity. He took Seabiscuit across America and traveled nearly 50,000 railroad miles to race on tracks across the west and east coast. People of the press were wooed with bottles of champagne. Seabiscuit merchandise began to flood stores. And not to mention the fact that his small investment in Seabiscuit had multiplied exponentially with the horse's record career earnings.

Believe in Yourself and not the Naysayers
After Seabiscuit was injured, the doctors had given their verdict: Seabiscuit could never race again. No horse could compete at this level with a torn ligament. Even his original jockey 'Red' Pollard was never expected to ride after a nasty accident that had shattered his leg. Red and his favorite 'Pops' were not about to give up that easily. Howard took his favorite horse and jockey to his Ridgewood ranch to allow them to recuperate. With time both horse and jockey were back on the recovery track and went on to win the Santa Anita in 1940.

Finally, it is interesting to note the effect Seabiscuit had on the American psyche. The country was just emerging from those traumatic years of the Depression. These battered and bruised souls (especially the lower and middle class) needed 'hope' and a 'second chance'. And they found an unlikely hero in a four legged animal who was as many fans described a 'common man's horse'. Just like them, he had been through hard times but had emerged on top through sheer grit and fighting spirit after getting a second chance.